Texas Rangers infielder Michael Young has been placed on paternity leave, according to Evan P. Grant of the Dallas Morning News. As a corresponding move, the Rangers purchased the contract of infielder Luis Hernandez from Triple-A Round Rock.
Young, 35, has struggled this season after an MVP-caliber performance in 2011. His OPS has dropped by 200 points, from .854 to a personal-low .654. His .304 on-base percentage is also the lowest of his 13-year career.
The 28-year-old Hernandez will suit up in a big-league uniform for the first time since 2010, when he hit .250/.298/.409 in 47 plate appearances for the New York Mets. Hernandez has also spent time with the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals during parts of four seasons at the MLB level. At Round Rock, Hernandez hit .262/.302/.372 with eight homers and 66 RBI in 548 plate appearances.
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